Working in the area of Mental Health involves providing support to people living with a mental illness. Through the community services qualifications work may focus on engaging people with mental illness in community participation, working to prevent relapses and promoting recovery through programs such as residential rehabilitation, work in clinical settings, home based outreach and centre-based programs delivered by community based non-government organisations. This work may also involve supported employment and programmed respite care.

The Certificate IV in Mental Health focuses on rehabilitation and support for people affected by mental illness and psychiatric disability, implementing community based activities focusing on mental health, mental illness and psychiatric disability, and mental health promotion work. While the Diploma of Community Services (Mental Health) includes counselling, referral, advocacy and education/health promotion services, and requires high level specialist knowledge, skills and competencies especially in regard to laws affecting clients, the range of services available to them and health issues related to mental health.

Employment for this occupation rose very strongly in the past five years and in the long-term (ten years). Looking forward, employment for Mental Health Workers to November 2018 is expected to grow strongly.

Course Information

Delivery Method

The Certificate IV in Mental Health is delivered through a blended delivery method. You will be provided with a ‘Learner Resource’ and ‘Assessment Booklet’ for each unit of competency. In addition you will be provided with access to our online assessment platform where you will complete all theoretical assessments. It is anticipated that you will undertake a work placement. This will provide you with the necessary practical skills and workplace experience.

Work Placement

Duration: Minimum 200 hours

Work placement outline

Health Industry Training recognises that an important part of undertaking a qualification in health or community services is the practical component of the course. Work placement provides students with an avenue to apply practical skills in a ‘real life’ environment where you are able to practice the skills and knowledge you have learnt during the course.

Health Industry Training requires students to undertake a minimum of 200 hours work placement for the Certificate IV in Mental Health.

When you have completed approximately two-third of your study load, Health Industry Training will endeavour to find a suitable organisation for your work placement. However, we encourage you to identify a suitable workplace within your local community.

Insurance

Health Industry Training provides insurance to all students undertaking work placement as part of their qualification. Insurance covers Public Liability and Volunteer Workers insurance.

Pre-requirements

Depending on the organisation where your work placement will be conducted you may need to conduct a number of pre-placement requirements. All students will need to undertake a National Criminal Record check prior to placement. Health Industry Training can arrange the National Criminal Record check on your behalf for the cost of $18. Alternatively you can contact your local police station.

Assessment Methods

Health Industry Training uses a range of assessment methods to ensure sufficient evidence can be gathered to demonstrate you can perform the tasks against the specified criteria. Assessment methods can include:

Short answer questions

Projects

Case studies

Scenarios

Reports

Workplace portfolios

Work placement logbook

Research reports

Presentations

Recognition of Prior Learning

Many of our students already have a high level of skills, knowledge and expertise that can be recognised through a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process.

RPL takes into account any previous formal study, work and life experience and then assesses this against the elements of competency to determine if you can receive credit toward a qualification. Students seeking recognition can apply for RPL on enrolment into a qualification or throughout the duration of their study.

Credit Transfer

If you have completed a unit of competency within your intended qualification with another Registered Training Organisation (RTO) you may be able to apply for a credit transfer or exemption. A copy of the original transcript must be provided when applying for a credit transfer.

Admission Requirements

Entry Requirements

To enrol in the Certificate IV in Mental Health it is anticipated that you will have completed year 10 or equivalent.

In addition students will need to provide Health Industry Training with their Unique Student Identifier number.

IT Requirements

To complete the course you will need access to a computer and the Internet. For us to provide you with access to the online assessment system you must provide Health Industry Training with an email address. Please provide this address on the enrolment form in the relevant space provided.

In addition you will need basic computer skills to conduct research on your current topics and complete your assessments. In particular, you will need skills in word processing and PowerPoint presentations.

Minimum Age Requirements

The minimum age for this course is 16 years old. If you are under 18 years of age your enrolment form must be signed by a parent or guardian.

Literacy, Language, Numeracy (LLN) Requirements

Students must have an adequate level of Language, Literacy and Numeracy skills (LLN). Entry into the course requires English proficiency to Year 10 level or equivalent. Students are able to test their LLN skills by completing an appropriate level LLN test by emailing info@healthindustrytraining.org. For additional information and support contact the Reading Writing Hotline at www.readingwritinghotline.edu.au.

Finance

Queensland residents ONLY.

This course if available through the Australian Apprenticeship Scheme. The Australian Apprenticeships Scheme is government funded training available for school-based students, new and existing employees. The traineeship program addresses skills needs by making government funding available to Health Industry Training to deliver the training. Additional incentives for employers are also available to provide students with paid work for the duration of the traineeship. There are no costs to the student.

Higher Level Skills: Health Industry Training is proud to be a pre-qualified supplier for the Queensland Government, under the Higher Level Skills program. To be eligible for the Higher Level Skills funding, participants must not hold or be undertaking a Certificate IV or higher qualification. Qualifications undertaken at school do not affect eligibility. The cost for students is $5/unit or $10/unit if paid by a third party.

Fee-paying

To assist students who are not eligible for funding, Health Industry Training offers financial assistance to students by allowing students to either:

pay the cost of the course in full and receive a 10% discount on the full cost of the course; or

Throughout your course with Health Industry Training, you will be provided with a range of support services depending on your individual needs.

One-on-one trainer support: You will be provided with a trainer that has extensive experience and expertise in the course content and the industry sector. Our professional trainers are there to ensure you have a successful learning journey where you can contact them via phone or email.

In addition to your trainer, the administration team can provide you with support including your enrolment, changes to contact details or study plan, assisting with accessing your online assessment system, progress report and any issues you may encounter throughout your course.

Peer support

Health Industry Training appreciates that distance/online learning can be an isolated experience for some students. To assist with isolation all students have the option to be part of a Facebook peer support group. Peer support groups can be a positive experience where you can study with like-minded people, ask questions relating to your course and build friendships.

Financial support

On enrolment into the units you will be provided with learner guides, reference material and online access.

15 units are required for award of this qualification including:

11 core units

4 elective units

View the course outline, including the recommendation for the order in which you should complete your units, by clicking on the ‘Download Course Outline’ button on the bottom left hand side of this page.

Health Industry Training (HIT) acknowledges the traditional owners of the country on which we live, work and learn. We recognise their continuous connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respect to them and their cultures and to elders both past and present.